Marsh supports Lottery

Sen. Del Marsh

Senator Del Marsh announced he is pushing to allow voters to decide if they want a lottery and to allow casino gaming at four existing locations.

Marsh says he has a study from Auburn University to show this plan would generate the revenue needed to balance the state budget.

Marsh said the study shows it would generate some $400 million in state revenue, 11,000 new jobs and $1.28 billion in economic impact.

On Monday in Cullman County, Governor Bentley continued to push his $541 million tax plan to solve the state's budget woes.

Bentley said he will not discuss gaming because it distracts from the real problem. People say it will solve the your problem. It will not solve the problem the governor said..

Bentley says proceeds from gambling will take a year or two to come into state coffers and that would be too late for next year's budget needs.

Still Good Hope Representative Corey Hardison would like the lottery and casino gambling as opposed to raising taxes.